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Man issued with football banning order following assault in Stroud

Police are trying to trace this man, suspected of being from South Wales, in connection with an assault outside a Stroud pub in July. Another man, who was arrested after the incident, has been issued with a football banning order.

A GWENT man has been issued with a football banning order following a disorder outside a pub in Stroud when Forest Green Rovers were playing
Cardiff City in a pre-season friendly in July.

The incident happened outside the Clothiers Arms on Bath Road around 2pm on Saturday, July 28.

35-year-old Gareth Harding of Hatter Street in Brynmawr was arrested on suspicion of common assault following the incident.

He was later charged and appeared at Stroud Magistrates' Court on Monday, September 3, where he was ordered to pay a £200 fine, £85 in court costs, £15 victim costs and £100 in compensation.

He was also issued with the football banning order - barring Harding from attending any football matches in England or Wales for three years.

The order restricts him from being within a set distance of any designated match for five hours before and after a game and cannot enter any town, city or country where Cardiff City Football Club
or the Wales national team are playing.

He must also seek the written permission of the British Transport Police if he wishes to use the England and Wales National Rail network to travel on any rail route to or from any town or city on a
day when Cardiff City or the Wales national football team are playing in that place.

A second man suspected to be from Gwent or South Wales is still being sought in connection with the assault, which left a Stroud man with serious head injuries.

Police want to speak to a man who was caught on CCTV in the area.

He is described as white, aged in his 40s, with a large build and short greying hair. He was wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt and white trainers. He is suspected to be from either Newport or
Cardiff.

If you recognise this man you should call 101 quoting incident 265 of July 28.

Officers are also encouraging the man to come forward so that he can be interviewed in connection with the incident.